SC to monitor CBI probe into 2G spectrum scam

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed investigation into the granting of 2G spectrum licences between 2001 to 2008. The apex court says the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) will place the progress report of the investigation in a sealed cover before the court on February 10, 2011.

The apex court also directed that the CBI should also investigate the role of PSU banks in granting loans in 2G scam and if Department of Telecom (DoT) officials were signatory to the licence agreement.

With the CBI being directed to investigate the grant of licences from 2001, the role of the then Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance will also come under the scanner.

Even the role of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) as well as companies in the telecom business will be investigated with the court asking the CBI to investigate why the telecom regulator did not take action against the ineligible licencees.

Directing the investigation the court observed that prima facie it was satisfied by the allegations made by senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan in his PIL that there was violation of rules in granting 2G licences. The apex court also agreed with Bhushan's allegation in his PIL that the CBI dragged its feet on the 2G investigations.

The apex court observed that the Delhi High Court order not allowing the plea of the petitioners for a CBI investigation was erroneous.

There was prima facie material supported by documents and also the report of the CVC about allegations of irregularities in the spectrum allocation, said the apex court.

Janta Party leader Subramanian Swamy said this move we will be able to wipe out corruption from the country.

"Supreme Court monitoring 2G probe will supplement my case in Tees Hazari court," Subramanian Swamy told CNN-IBN.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report prima facie makes it clear that spectrum allocation was allocated to ineligible licencees, observed the court. The apex court also asked the CBI to investigate why TRAI did not take action against the ineligible licencees.

The court also directed that the investigation should have its emphasis on loss to the public exchequer.

The Directorate of Income Tax was also asked to hand over the transcripts of the tapped conversations including those involving corporate lobbyist Nira Radia which were carried out under the order of Union Home Secretary to the investigating agencies.

There was prima facie material supported by documents and also the report of the Central Vigilance Commission about allegations of irregularities in the spectrum allocation, said the apex court.

(With inputs from PTI)

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